First Scope

[Redshift13 (Rohan)]

Got my eye on this particular scope as a first purchase: http://www.ozscopes.com.au/skywatche...telescope.html

Would love to hear others' opinions on this scope and also what additional eyepieces (if any) I should be looking at getting.

My main interest is deep sky objects (galaxies, nebulae, clusters, etc.), but of course some planetary viewing as well.

[Amaranthus (Barry)]

If you are interested in the GOTO feature for this Dob, then it seems to hold up pretty well against the Nexstar SCTs, albeit with more fiddly alignment:
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea...Number/5944165

But you are sacrificing aperture potential for this, in terms of $$. Always a trade off, more so when considering what is principally a light bucket design. A cheaper alternative may be just to get digital setting circles for positioning.

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Rohan
The Sky Watcher go to dobs have a good reputation and those I have seen are well built and the goto systems are accurate.
10" is not a bad size, just be aware it is a fairly large unit!

Malcolm

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Hi Rohan,
I think that is a great scope choice.
I have had a 10" SW Flex Dob for three years until recently (not goto)
I was very impressed with the quality of the views.\\I have just updated to a SW 12" Flex Dob (with goto) and still impressed with the views and just as impressed with the goto (accuracy, ease of set up).

I must admit though that the 10" was much easier to move about.

Good Luck with your purchase.

The eyepieces that come with it are adequate for starters, but I am a fan of the Nagler series (I use the Type VI 9mm and the Type V 16mm).
[OK, Ethos are better if you can afford them (I can't).]
Vixen LVW are quite less expensive but nearly as good. (IMHO) Especially the LVW22 - it is a pearler.
I also love my Panoptic 27mm for wide views.
But the best advice I can give is to get yourself and your scope along to some observing nights and talk to other users and try their favourites in your scope. The best eyepiece is the one that works best for you and your scope.

[Marios (Marios)]

This a great choice for a first scope and beyond.
10inch will bring you into the visual realm of DSO's.

[Redshift13 (Rohan)]

Thanks everyone for your responses - really appreciate all the feedback.

Originally Posted by barx1963

10" is not a bad size, just be aware it is a fairly large unit!

Yes, I know someone with the 12" version of the same scope as I'm looking at getting, so know what I'm in for.

Originally Posted by Allan_L

But the best advice I can give is to get yourself and your scope along to some observing nights and talk to other users and try their favourites in your scope. The best eyepiece is the one that works best for you and your scope.

Yep, joined the local astronomy group late last year and have been enjoying their viewing nights, as well as taking in as much information as I can.

Originally Posted by Marios

This a great choice for a first scope and beyond.
10inch will bring you into the visual realm of DSO's.

Sounds good - can't wait!